×

Tupper Lake Dems pick two candidates for 9 seats

TUPPER LAKE – A small number of village and town Democrats nominated two candidates for the offices of trustee and justice – but not for seven other openings – at the party’s caucus Monday evening.

About 16 Tupper Lakers came out to Aaron Maddox Hall to choose their candidates for the Nov. 3 election. Village residents nominated Ron LaScala for a two-year term as a trustee while town residents nominated incumbent Justice Leonard Young for another four-year term.

LaScala

LaScala, who owns Adirondack Appliance Repair, has been an outspoken fixture at village board meetings for four years. He unsuccessfully ran for village trustee in 2012.

“After the last board meeting I was at, I had a number of people getting a hold of me asking me to run,” LaScala told the Enterprise. “A lot of people wanted me to run for mayor; I didn’t want to run for mayor. I think you’ve got to sit on the board for a while before you can even think about doing that.

“I think I have the support this year. I think I’ve proven myself in this community to be a guy that knows the issues, that understands the issues and will work hard to solve whatever issues that come up. I’ll do the best I can – that’s all I can do.”

LaScala said taxes are one of his chief concerns.

“Right now, I think the biggest issue on the village side has got to be our taxes and how we’re going to hold our taxes back and yet still continue to make forward progress,” he said.

LaScala also said the emergency services building is on his mind.

“I think it’s a beautiful building,” he said. “I supported it from day one. I know it’s been a controversial building. I’ve even had controversy with the building at times.

“It’s going to serve this community for many years to come, and the controversy now is how we’re going to pay for it. Who is going to pay what portion of it? … If we can all work together, we can accomplish that feat.”

Young

Young, who has been town justice for 16 years, was honored to be nominated for another term.

“I just want to thank everybody,” he said. “Like I said 16 years ago, I’m going to be fair and consistent, and I look forward to another four years.”

LeFebvre

After serving 10 years on the town board, Councilwoman Kathy Lefebvre decided not to seek another term in office.

“I might get back into it later, but right now, I just need a couple years to unwind and see things from the outside,” she told the Enterprise. “I think sometimes, if you’re in the fray all the time, you don’t see things until you step back.

“Other people have got to step up and start doing this. It can’t be the same people all the time. It’s good to get fresh people in there.”

Vacancies

The party was unable to field candidates for village mayor, a second open seat on the village Board of Trustees, two open seats on the town council, town clerk and town highway superintendent.

“I’m somewhat disappointed that we couldn’t field candidates for some of the other offices,” party Chairman Dean Lefebvre told the Enterprise. “There are two open seats on the town board. We’re giving them away.

“People are telling me, and they’re telling (party Vice Chairman Rick) Dattola, and they’re telling others, ‘Oh, we’re upset with this.’ Well, step up. Run. If you’re not happy, don’t sit back and complain tomorrow. Don’t say to me, ‘Well, how come we don’t have any candidates?’ Well, why didn’t you run?”

Lefebvre said he will support both LaScala and Young.

“Lenny ran with me 16 years ago, the first time he ever ran,” he said. “He does a good job as justice. He actually uses and does justice. He’s just with the people that come before his court.

“Me and Ron have had some differences, but, yes, I’m going to support Ron LaScala. I’m the chairman of the Democratic Party, and he’s our nominee.”

In April 2014, LaScala publicly called for Lefebvre to resign as chairman, saying it was time for some new blood to enter the party.

Lefebvre said he is proud of his wife Kathy’s record during her 10 years of service on the town council.

“I think she’s probably the best board member they have, but that’s my opinion and I’m kind of prejudiced,” he said.

The party didn’t nominate any Republicans Monday. In 2011, it endorsed Republican nominee Paul Maroun for mayor. Maroun is running unopposed again this year.

Last week, village Republicans nominated Maroun, the incumbent, for mayor, incumbent Leon LeBlanc for trustee, incumbent Rick Donah for trustee and incumbent Chris Delair for justice. The town will hold its Republican caucus tonight at 7 p.m. at Aaron Maddox Hall.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today